MMA S.B. 1808 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HIGHER EDUCATION
S.B. 1808
By: Barrientos (Greenberg)
5-15-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, the University of Texas at Austin (UT) charges a $1 fee to
students per semester or summer session as a source of financial
assistance for students in international student exchange and study abroad
programs.  However, the current fee is insufficient to meet the increased
demand for the program and costs associated with the program which have
risen substantially. This bill would allow UT to increase the fee to $2
per semester or summer session to assist the university in meeting the
demand and increased costs for international student exchange and study
abroad programs. 

PURPOSE

S.B. 1808 authorizes the board of regents of the University of Texas
System to charge and collect from students registered at the University of
Texas at Austin a fee of $2, not to exceed $4, for any semester or summer
session for the sole purpose of funding international education programs.
The increase is contingent upon the student's approval. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.5131(a), Education Code, as follows:  (a)
Authorizes the board of regents of the University of Texas System to
charge and collect from students registered at The University of Texas at
Austin a fee of $2, rather than $1, for any semester or summer session, if
approved by a student referendum.  Authorizes the fee to be increased to
an amount not to exceed $4, if approved by the students in a student
referendum.  Provides that the fee may only be used for funding an
international education program, rather than a financial aid fund, to
assist students participating in international student exchange or study
programs. 

SECTION 2. Provides that the changes made by this Act to Section 54.5131,
Education Code, apply beginning with the fall semester, 1997. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.